2002 03 13 ALRC Minutes
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MINUTES
ARCHITECTURE & LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Guinta City Hall
78-495 Cillle Tampico, La Guinta, CA
March 13, 2002
10:00 a.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. This meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Committee was called
to order at 1 :09 p.m. by Principal Planner Fred Baker who led the flag
salute.
B. Committee Members present: Bill Bobbitt, Dennis Cunningham and David
Thoms.
C. Staff present: Community Development Director Jerry Herman,
Management Analyst Debbie Power, Principal Planner Fred Baker, and
Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Principal Planner Fred Baker asked if there were any changes to the
Minutes of February 13, 2002. Commissioner. There being no further
corrections, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members
Cunningham/Thoms to approve the Minutes as submitted.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Commercial Propertv Improvement ProQram; a request of La Guinta Palms
Realty, Bruce Cathcart/Jim Cathcart for a funding request for exterior
improvements for the property located on the west side of Eisenhower
Drive at the Terminus of Calle Tampico (51-001 Eisenhower Drive.
1. Management Analyst Debbie Powel presented the information
contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Community Development Department.
2. Committee Member Thoms questioned the air conditioning ducts.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
March 13,2002
Mr. Jim Cathcart explained the location of the ducts and work to
be done.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the ducting were removed
would the exposed stucco be repainted. Mr. Cathcart stated yes,
but it is not part of the funding request.
4. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if there was any limit as to how
many times an applicant can apply for the funding. Staff stated
only once a year, but as many times as there are funds.
5. Committee Member Cunningham stated the duct work is the area
of concern from the public view, but the replacement of the duct
is not $2,600. The cost involved is the replacement of the entire
system to replace the duct. The question is how far does the City
want to go to get rid of the duct. In essence, the City is paying
$2,682 to get rid of the duct eyesore. Mr. Cathcart explained the
request was based on comments made b~' members of the City
Council and Historical Society members. Discussion followed as
regarding the request.
6. Committee Member Bobbitt stated it was border line as to whether
or not the City should pay for this, but he has no problem with the
request.
7. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members Cunningham/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion
2002-009 approving Commercial Property Improvement Program
request of La Quinta Palms Realty with a score of 81.
Unanimously approved.
B. Site Development Permit 2001-730; a request of Clubhouse Associates,
LLC for review of building elevations and landscaping plans for the
Clubhouse Apartments to be located on the south side of Avenue 52,
east of Jefferson Street.
1. Principal Planner Fred Baker presented the information contained
in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community
Development Department.
2. Mr. Bob Kraft, representing the applicant, gave a presentation on
the project.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked staff what the height limit was
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March 13,2002
for commercial buildings. Staff noted it was 36-feet. Committee
Member Bobbitt asked about the coordination of the shared
access. Mr. Chuck Cockrell, Project Manager, stated they worked
with the City on the shared access. They have a left in, with right
in and out only. Their concern is the truck deliveries for the
commercial project at the corner and the traffic patterns. To
resolve the issue they decided to have a stacking element for three
cars. If this project is constructed before the commercial project
an agreement will be made between the two to meet the
conditions for the commercial project to reimburse them for the
payments. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the use of
wood on some of the elements. Mr. Kraft stated they will be
blocked as designed to be constructed to keep them from turning.
Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the wood doors and the
use of the date palm trees in a high traffic areas. He asked how
the residents at Country Club of the Desert would be impacted by
the height of the apartment buildings at the 40-feet. Mr. Kraft
showed a site elevation. Committee Member Bobbitt stated his
concern in light of the problems that were created with the height
of the berm is the height of the buildings.
4. Committee Member Cunningham stated it is a situation of who is
there first. This backs up to the Canal and with the parking it has
a buffer, but you will never be able to hide it.
5. Staff noted a different material would be used on the carports and
asked the Committee's opinion. Mr. Kraft gave a presentation on
the material.
6. Committee Member Cunningham stated the material gives a lot of
design freedom and are great. He likes the shade structures. Mr.
Kraft stated that from a design standard it offers a lot more than
the wood. Committee Member Cunningham stated he liked the
architecture. A big issue with apartments is the maintenance over
a period of years. In regard to the wood siding, he would prefer
a painted metal. They will be using clay tiles instead of concrete
which are better and richer. The white on the color board should
be replaced on the stucco. He questioned whether or not the
small tiles on the dome would pop off due to the earthquakes. He
would recommend a different material. The windows are all
setback giving a shadow line that will enhance the building. In
regard to the carports, the fabric covers do look good, but a sand
color should be used. In regard to the wood, whether or not you
block them they will turn. Metal may be a consideration. He
asked the location of the trash enclosures and that they be "bullet
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
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proof" .
7. Committee Member Thoms asked what type of fencing would be
used along the property line that backs up to the All American
Canal. Mr. Kraft stated they would prefer to use the chainlink
fence that is installed by CVWD and they would be asking them
to put it on the property line, not where it is now. They hope to
make it into a living fence. Committee Member Thoms asked
about the area between the carports and fence on the west of
south side, as they are difficult to landscape. The important item
is to give attention to will be the fence. Plant material on the
barrier itself. He asked for an explanation on the security wall on
Avenue 52. Mr. Ronald Masanobu lzumita, Image Design, stated
they have a requirement to provide a five foot high sound barrier
wall. Committee Member Thoms stated he liked the site plan,
architecture, and carports. He is concerned about the landscaping
on Avenue 52. There is an exposed parking lot and he would like
to see more screening for the car noses. Mr. Izumita stated it will
be bermed with meandering sidewalks with a lot of ground cover.
8. Committee Member Bobbitt asked that the plant pallette be similar
to the adjacent shopping center.
9. Committee Member Thoms asked if the wall facing the north side
will have plant material. Mr. lzumita stated there would be plant
material on certain locations. Committee Member Thoms asked
what "15-feet BTH" meant. Staff stated at means "brown trunk
height". Committee Member Thoms asked that the Queen Palm
not be used in an row situation.
1 O. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Cunningham/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion
2002-010 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
2001-730, subject to the conditions as submitted and amended:
A. Landscaping along the perimeter, around the parking lot not
to use plant material on the ground, but use vines on the
wall or living fence.
B. Avenue 52 a three foot berm is required to screen the
parking lot.
C. Queen Palms not be planted in an organized pattern.
Unanimously approved.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None
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VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: None
VIII. ADJOURNlMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members
Cunningham/Bobbitt to adjourn this regular meeting of the Architectural and
Landscaping Review Committee to a regular meeting to be held on April 3, 2002. This
meeting was adjourned at 2:25 p.m. on March 13, 2002.
Respectfully submitted,
(-~1!~&7' /<~~~C~
~~Y& AWYER, Executive Secretary
City 0 La Quinta, California
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